Monday, March 31, 2008

My grandmother graduated to be with her personal Lord and Saviour in a place that I can only dream about for now.

Until the last couple of years, it seemed like it just happened yesterday. But, so much has happened in my life over the past six years that it seems like she has been gone for decades. I think it is because there would be so much to share with her, it has all just stockpiled in my heart. Don't get me wrong, I still miss her tremendously, but know some day, maybe soon, maybe in years, I will see her again.

Some of the things I would share with her would be my love for God. She is the one that prayed me to the altar. Asking over and over to come to church with her and then saving me a seat beside her or near her. When she could, she would sing, testify, and I loved to hear her whisper her prayers. That meant more to me than anything in this world.

Next, I would share my love for my wonderful husband that God has blessed me with. She never really got to know him, unfortunately, but I am sure she is smiling down on us daily, because he is so good to me. He loves me. She would have really loved him, for who he is, and for how he looks at me.

Then, the best of my accomplishments over this six year period has been the birth of my amazing baby boy. It is not really my accomplishment, but God's. I can only thank God for lending Stephen to me for this brief time on earth. I can tell you now, though, he and mommaw would have been the best of friends! Mommaw loved babies, and Stephen is just a loverboy. I can close my eyes and imagine him running up to her recliner leaning over to kiss her. And I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that she held him before I ever knew what he looked like. I swear, sometimes when he sees a picture of her, I see that light in his eyes. He already knows her.

I never want to fall short in remembering her. At times, it gets hard to remember her voice, but I can make myself if I take time. I remember the skin of her hands and arms. I used to sit and rub it and tell her it felt as soft as cotton and silk. She would laugh at me, but I loved it!

Most of all, I remember how much she loved me. For some reason, I could do no wrong. I loved her, too, probably more than she ever knew.

I look forward to the day that I can worship our God together with her again, but until then, I still ask, quite frequently, to God at night, to give her a big hug for me.

Thursday, March 13, 2008

I love Spring! I know, technically, it is not here yet, but today is just a sample sent directly from Heaven!

According to my Webster's New World Dictionary and Thesaurus, the definition of "spring" is as follows:

"vi. 1 to leap bound 2 to come, appear etc. suddently 3 to bounce 4 to arise as from some source; grow or develop 5 to become warped, split, etc. Often followed by up -- n.1 to leap, or the distance so covered 2 elasticity; resilience 3 a device, as a coil or wire, that returns to its original form after being forced out of shape 4 a flow of water from the ground 5 a source of origin 6a) the season of the year following winter, when plants begin to grow b) any period of beginning"Now, my definitions do not stray far from the real definitions, but the book definition omits one extremely important word...GOD. Spring to me is everything new! It is a renewal of everything that is beautiful. It is God's way of proving His existence.

I personally like the definition that states "a returning to its original form after being forced out of shape." That sums it up completely! The season change not only affects the earth, but it affects the body. This has been the worst winter for me in terms of my physical being. It feels like it has lasted forever! But today, I have already felt somewhat energized by the fresh air and absolutely breathtaking sunshine!

I like to think about the big picture. Everything that grows started from a seed. A seed is usually shriveled up and dried, a pretty ugly sight. But, with some planting, good soil, fertilizer, and water, it becomes something every much alive and beautiful. That is exactly the same from flowers to gardens to human beings. God knew what He was doing in the beginning, and He certainly continues on with His masterpiece!

I thank Him today for everything He has done, and continues to do. He is the top designer, creator, artist, architect extrodinaire. Please take the time this wonderful season, and focus on what God has done for you. Renew yourself in your Lord, and allow Him to renew everything around you.

Friday, March 7, 2008

His first day at "schooooool" (pronounced like the ooo in "tooooool")...

"Do you think Picasso started out this way"

"Look at this awesome computer mom, can I have one?"

Stephen did not actually go to "school" in the real sense, but this is one of those awesome services available to parents that unfortunately, most parents never know about. Thanks to God that because of Stephen's speech delay and working with Birth To Three, we learned of Parents As Teachers. They have a classroom at a local elementary school, and they offer a playgroup once a week for a couple of hours. The basically do most things that kids do in a preschool classroom, such as story time, lunch, take walks, paint, etc. And the best part of this is that Stephen will have real interaction with kids his own age! Who knows, maybe that is the root of his speech delay.

Mom took him for the first time yesterday. She was a little hesitant, because he is pretty clingy at first around strange environments. But she said it was like she wasn't even in the room! He loved it!

It is amazing that there are so many worthy programs out there. Unfortunately, a lot of families do not know this, therefore, funding for the programs are greatly reduced over time. If you have children or grandchildren, please look into what is out there for them. Most of these programs are not income based, and are free! Take advantage of that!